Changing Your Major to Business

Colleges have varying policies when it comes to how applicants gain entrance to their business school. Some schools such as Boston College, USC, or Penn allow you to apply directly out of high school. Other schools require freshmen to first complete certain prerequisite courses, earn a strong GPA, and then transfer internally prior to the start of sophomore year. At universities that do allow high school students to apply directly to a business program, it is still important for applicants to be aware of how challenging it is to transfer into that institution’s College of Business. This knowledge can assist prospective applicants who are a) considering applying to an alternative major and later transferring into business or b) deciding whether they would consider enrolling in a school that rejects them from a College of Business, but offers them a place in the College of Arts & Sciences.

The table below provides this important information for a number of top business programs. Column headers are defined below:

Direct Admit - Indicates whether prospective undergraduates can be admitted directly into a business major.

Prerequisites - Links to the institutional webpage that details requirements for transferring into a business major.

Minimum Progress - Indicates the minimum number of credits, semesters, or quarters needed to transfer into a business major.

Minimum GPA - Indicates the minimum GPA one must possess to be considered for admission into a business major. At most institutions, earning the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission.

Difficulty - An ordinal rating (from "Less" to "Very") indicating how difficult it is to transfer into a business major.

More Info - Links to an institutional webpage providing more detail about how current students can transfer into a business major. If there is no additional info beyond what is provided in the institutions "Prerequisites" page, links for "Prerequisites" and "More Info" are identical.

*At institutions where there is no direct admission, requirements for declaring/moving into a business major are indicated. 

InstitutionDirect AdmitPrerequisitesMinimum ProgressMinimum GPADifficultyMore InfoNotes
Arizona State University-TempeYesClick Herehttps://wpcarey.asu.edu/undergraduate-degrees/admission-requirements30 credits3.4Moderatehttps://wpcarey.asu.edu/undergraduate-degrees/admission-requirements
Boston CollegeYesClick Herehttps://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/undergraduate/faq.html2 semesters3.4Veryhttps://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/undergraduate/faq.html10 eligible students admitted via lottery
Boston UniversityYesClick Herehttps://www.bu.edu/academics/questrom/policies/intra-university-transfer/6 courses2Moderatehttps://www.bu.edu/academics/questrom/policies/intra-university-transfer/
Brandeis UniversityNoClick Herehttps://www.brandeis.edu/business/undergraduate/apply.html3 semesters2Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.brandeis.edu/registrar/forms/major-minor.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Bucknell UniversityYesClick Herehttps://coursecatalog.bucknell.edu/archive/2016-2017/collegeofartsandsciencescurricula/areasofstudy/schoolofmanagement/2 semestersVariesVeryhttps://coursecatalog.bucknell.edu/archive/2016-2017/collegeofartsandsciencescurricula/areasofstudy/schoolofmanagement/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Carnegie Mellon UniversityYesClick Herehttps://www.cmu.edu/tepper/programs/undergraduate-business/admissions/transfer-students.html2 semesters3Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.cmu.edu/tepper/programs/undergraduate-business/admissions/transfer-students.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Case Western Reserve UniversityYesNonehttps://weatherhead.case.edu/degrees/undergraduate/academics/NoneNoneLesshttps://case.edu/ugstudies/academic-policies/declaring-major-or-minor
College of William and MaryNoClick Herehttps://mason.wm.edu/undergraduate/admissions/requirements/index.php54 credits2Moderatehttps://catalog.wm.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=5&ent_oid=270#:~:text=Admission%20to%20the%20Majors%20Program,-The%20Mason%20School&text=Admission%20is%20competitive%20and%20the,minimum%20attained%20GPA%20of%202.0.
Cornell UniversityYesClick Herehttps://dyson.cornell.edu/programs/undergraduate/admissions/internal-transfer/2 semesters3Veryhttps://dyson.cornell.edu/programs/undergraduate/admissions/internal-transfer/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Emory UniversityNoClick Herehttps://goizueta.emory.edu/undergraduate-business-degree/admissions/application60 creditsNoneModeratehttps://oxford.emory.edu/academics/major-minor/undecided.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
George Washington UniversityYesClick Herehttps://registrar.gwu.edu/undergraduate-internal-transfer2 semesters2.66Moderatehttps://registrar.gwu.edu/undergraduate-internal-transfer
Georgetown UniversityYesClick Herehttp://msbnews.com/ugnews/WebsiteMaterials/InternalApplicationsFAQ-OLD.pdf2 semesters3Moderate-to-Veryhttps://msb.georgetown.edu/undergraduate/forms/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusYesClick Herehttps://www.scheller.gatech.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate/student-services/change-of-major-meeting/index.html1 semesterNoneLesshttps://advising.gatech.edu/change-major-glance
Lehigh UniversityYesClick Herehttps://cas.lehigh.edu/content/college-change-information12 credits2Less-to-Moderatehttps://businessundergrad.lehigh.edu/advising/college-change-process
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyNoNonehttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/undergrad/15-1-management-major-requirementsNoneNoneLesshttps://registrar.mit.edu/registration-academics/academic-requirements/majors-minors/changing-major
Miami University-OxfordYesClick Herehttps://www.miamioh.edu/fsb/admission/current-student/index.html30 credits3.5Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.miamioh.edu/regionals/academics/academic-advising/services/how-do-i/index.html
Michigan State UniversityNoClick Herehttps://broad.msu.edu/app/uploads/2021/03/2021-2022-NSO-Handbook.pdfVaries3.2Moderatehttps://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/advising/major-changes/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
New York UniversityYesClick Herehttps://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/internal-transfers/internal-transfer-additional-requirements.html1 semesterVariesVeryhttps://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/internal-transfers.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
North Carolina State University at RaleighYesClick Herehttps://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-degree/coda-home/coda/pcom/21 credits2.75Moderatehttps://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-degree/coda-home/coda/pcom/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Northeastern UniversityYesClick Herehttps://registrar.northeastern.edu/article/changing-majors/Varies2Less-to-Moderatehttps://damore-mckim.northeastern.edu/resources/change-major-bsba/
Ohio State University-Main CampusYesClick Herehttps://fisher.osu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/current-osu-students26 credits3.1Moderate-to-Veryhttps://fisher.osu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/current-osu-studentsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusNoClick Herehttps://ugstudents.smeal.psu.edu/academics-advising/get-into-a-smeal-major/copy_of_entrance-to-major-requirements-for-students-entering-penn-state-starting-su-20-fa-20-and-sp-2140 credits3.1-to-3.5Moderatehttps://ugstudents.smeal.psu.edu/academics-advising/get-into-a-smeal-major/copy_of_entrance-to-major-requirements-for-students-entering-penn-state-starting-su-20-fa-20-and-sp-21
Purdue University-Main CampusNoClick Herehttps://krannert.purdue.edu/undergraduate/admissions/codo.php5 courses3.0-to-3.5Moderatehttps://krannert.purdue.edu/undergraduate/admissions/faq.php#:~:text=Does%20Krannert%20have%20a%20direct,%2C%20pre%2Deconomics%2C%20etc.
Rutgers University-New BrunswickYesClick Herehttps://www.business.rutgers.edu/undergraduate-new-brunswick/rutgers-transfers24 credits3.1Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.business.rutgers.edu/undergraduate-new-brunswick/rutgers-transfersApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Santa Clara UniversityYesClick Herehttps://www.scu.edu/business/undergraduates/academics/internal-transfer-process/2 quarters3Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.scu.edu/business/undergraduates/academics/internal-transfer-process/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Southern Methodist UniversityYesClick Herehttps://www.smu.edu/cox/Degrees-and-Programs/BBA/High-School-Class-of-2020#:~:text=minor%20in%20business.-,Internal%20Transfer%20Process,be%20submitted%20by%20May%2016.24 credits3.5Veryhttps://www.smu.edu/cox/Degrees-and-Programs/BBA/High-School-Class-of-2019/faqApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Syracuse UniversityYesClick Herehttps://whitman.syr.edu/programs-and-academics/programs/whitman-undergraduate-experience/transfer-student-resources/intra-university-transfer-student.aspx30 creditsVariesModerate-to-Veryhttps://www.syracuse.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer/intra-university/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Texas A & M University-College StationYesClick Herehttps://mays.tamu.edu/application-process/30 credits3.5Moderate-to-Veryhttps://mays.tamu.edu/undergraduate-enrollment-plan/
The University of Texas at AustinYesClick Herehttp://my.mccombs.utexas.edu/bba/advising/degree-planning/business-majors/VariesVariesVeryhttps://my.mccombs.utexas.edu/bba/internal-transfer/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Tulane University of LouisianaNoNoneNoneNoneLesshttps://admission.tulane.edu/academics/majors-minors
University of ArizonaYesClick Herehttps://eller.arizona.edu/programs/undergraduate/admissions/bsba36 credits2.75Moderatehttps://eller.arizona.edu/programs/undergraduate/advising/add-change-major
University of California-BerkeleyNoClick Herehttps://haas.berkeley.edu/undergrad/admissions/application-process/90 quarter units2Veryhttps://lsadvising.berkeley.edu/majors-minors/declare-or-change-majorApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of California-IrvineYesClick Herehttps://changeofmajor.uci.edu/school-of-business/90 quarter units2.7Moderatehttps://merage.uci.edu/programs/undergraduate/faqs.html
University of Colorado BoulderYesClick Herehttps://www.colorado.edu/business/undergraduate/admissions/intra-university transfer24 credits3Moderatehttps://www.colorado.edu/business/undergraduate/admissions/intra-university transferApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of ConnecticutYesClick Herehttps://undergrad.business.uconn.edu/prospective/current-students/40 credits2Moderate-to-Veryhttps://catalog.uconn.edu/school-of-business/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of FloridaYesClick Herehttps://warrington.ufl.edu/undergraduate-current-students/academic-advising/major-changes/Varies2.0-to-3.0Moderatehttps://warrington.ufl.edu/undergraduate-current-students/academic-advising/universal-tracking/
University of GeorgiaNoClick Herehttps://www.terry.uga.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/BBA_Curriculum_Checkslist_Fall 2021_2.26.21.pdf60 credits2.6Moderatehttps://www.terry.uga.edu/undergraduate/admissionsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignYesClick Herehttps://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/undergraduate-hub/admissions/intercollegiate-transfer-(ict)2 semestersVariesModerate-to-Veryhttps://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/undergraduate-hub/admissions/intercollegiate-transfer-(ict)Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Maryland-College ParkYesClick Herehttps://lep.umd.edu/business.html#transfer45 credits3Veryhttps://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/programs/undergraduate/admissions/transferring-smithApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Massachusetts-AmherstYesClick Herehttps://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/undergraduate/on-campus/admissions/current-umass-students/bba1 semesterVariesVeryhttps://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/undergraduate/on-campus/admissions/current-umass-students/bbaApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of MiamiYesClick Herehttps://herbert.miami.edu/undergraduate/how-to-apply/transfer-students.html1 course (calculus)3Moderatehttps://registrar.miami.edu/forms-and-services/records/school-college-major-change/index.html
University of Michigan-Ann ArborYesClick Herehttps://michiganross.umich.edu/undergraduate/bba/admissions/UM-applicants3 courses2Veryhttps://michiganross.umich.edu/undergraduate/bba/admissions/UM-applicantsApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesYesClick Herehttps://carlsonschool.umn.edu/degrees/undergraduate/admissions/transfer-students/transfer-umntc2 semesters3Moderate-to-Veryhttps://carlsonschool.umn.edu/degrees/undergraduate/admissions/transfer-students/transfer-umntcApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Notre DameYesClick Herehttps://admissions.nd.edu/apply/resources-for/business-major-policy/2 semestersVariesVeryhttps://admissions.nd.edu/apply/resources-for/business-major-policy/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of PennsylvaniaYesClick Herehttps://undergrad-inside.wharton.upenn.edu/internal-transfer/2 semesters3.3Veryhttps://undergrad-inside.wharton.upenn.edu/internal-transfer/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusYesClick Herehttps://cba.pitt.edu/admission/current-students/internal-transfer-guidelines-for-students-enrolled-after-fall-2015/30 credits3Moderate-to-Veryhttps://cba.pitt.edu/admission/current-students/internal-transfer-guidelines-for-students-enrolled-after-fall-2015/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of RichmondNoClick Herehttps://robins.richmond.edu/undergraduate/admission/index.html122.7Moderatehttps://robins.richmond.edu/undergraduate/admission/index.html
University of RochesterNoClick Herehttps://www.rochester.edu/bulletin/policies/academic/transfer/NoneNoneLesshttps://www.rochester.edu/college/bsb/undergraduate/index.htmlUniv of Rochester declaring major
University of Southern CaliforniaYesClick Herehttps://www.marshall.usc.edu/current-students/applying-marshall-current-usc-students1 semester3.5Veryhttps://www.marshall.usc.edu/current-students/applying-marshall-current-usc-students/business-administration-majorApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
University of Virginia-Main CampusNoClick Herehttps://www.commerce.virginia.edu/bs-commerce/admissions/current-uva-students542.8Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.commerce.virginia.edu/bs-commerce/admissions/current-uva-students
University of Washington-Seattle CampusYesClick Herehttps://foster.uw.edu/academics/degree-programs/undergraduate-programs/admissions/standard-admission/60 credits2.5Moderate-to-Veryhttps://foster.uw.edu/academics/degree-programs/undergraduate-programs/admissions/standard-admission/
University of Wisconsin-MadisonYesClick Herehttps://business.wisc.edu/undergraduate/admissions/current-uw-students/2 semesters2.75Moderate-to-Veryhttps://business.wisc.edu/undergraduate/admissions/current-uw-students/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Villanova UniversityYesClick Herehttps://www1.villanova.edu/university/business/academics/undergraduate-programs/degrees/non-business-students/internal-transfer-apply.html2 semestersVariesModerate-to-Veryhttps://www1.villanova.edu/university/business/academics/undergraduate-programs/degrees/non-business-students/internal-transfer-apply.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityYesClick Herehttps://pamplin.vt.edu/content/dam/pamplin_vt_edu/ug-forms/Internal Transfer Requirements and Policies.pdf1 semester2Moderate-to-Veryhttps://www.registrar.vt.edu/contact/undergraduate-majors--brief/restricted-majors.htmlApplication process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Wake Forest UniversityNoClick Herehttps://bulletin.wfu.edu/school-business/undergraduate-business-program-admission/492.85Moderatehttps://bulletin.wfu.edu/school-business/undergraduate-business-program-admission/Application process is competitive (those meeting requirements are not guaranteed entry)
Washington University in St LouisYesNonehttps://olin.wustl.edu/EN-US/academic-programs/bs-business-administration/academics/Pages/majors.aspxNoneNoneLesshttps://admissions.wustl.edu/common-questions/

 

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